Miniature rose plant/Minajco

ABSTRACT

The subject of the present disclosure is a new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant characterized by the mauve with red edge color of the very double flowers and by the profusion of bloom.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of hardy, dwarf, bush type rose plant of the miniature class; the variety being primarily characterized--as to novelty--by the mauve with red edge coloration of the flowers which in general color effect are similar to Paradise (Hybrid Tea variety--U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,552).

The variety is further characterized by:

An abundance of bloom, with flowers usually borne singly.

Some fragrance.

A plant which is vigorous, of bushy, upright shape with semi-glossy to matt, small foliage, with pointed leaflets; the buds and flowers being similar in form and size to Over the Rainbow (miniature--U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,472), but averaging more petals.

The plant, which has a normal height of 12-14 inches or more, can easily be maintained at lesser height by occasional trimming.

A plant which grows and blooms satisfactorily outdoors, is good for growing in pots; and provides excellent garden decoration as well as cut flowers.

The present variety of miniature rose was originated by me at my nursery located at Dallas, Tex., under conditions of careful control and observation, as a cross between Tom Brown (a floribunda--not patented) as the seed parent and Black Jack (miniature--U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,671) as the pollen parent.

Subsequent to origination of the variety I successfully reproduced it, at my nursery located as aforesaid, by cuttings; the reproductions having run true in all respects.

The color photograph illustrates the variety, including the foliage, bud and flowers.

Referring now specifically to the new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant, the following is a detailed description thereof in outline; all major color plate identifications being by reference to the R.H.S. Colour Chart, except where common terms of color definition are employed.

Type: Hardy; dwarf; bushy; upright; seedling; outdoors; cut flowers; garden decoration; potted plant.

Class: Miniature. Variety identification: Minajco (Commercial synonym: Purple Majesty).

Flowers borne: Usually singly on slender wirey stems.

Quantity of bloom: Abundant.

Bud:

Peduncle.--Medium to long length; slender but sturdy; erect; medium green, sometimes tinted bronze (outdoors); hairs -- few. Before calyx breaks; size -- small. Form short; pointed with several foliaceous apendages and few or no tiny hairs on surface of bud; with foliaceous parts extending beyond the tip of the bud equal to one-half or less of its length.

Color.--Medium green, occasionally tinted with bronze, (outdoors). As calyx breaks, color -- reddish mauve, sometimes tinted darker near tip. Opening: opens well in all weather.

Bloom:

Size when fully open.--Small, averaging about 35-40 mm (11/2").

Petalage double.--Averaging about 40 petals, arranged regularly plus sometimes several small petaloids.

Form.--High centered, with petals reflexing loosely outward, and later at maturity, rolled loosely outward and downward. Open flowers usually show stamens.

Petals: Fairly thick; satiny on inside and on outside surface.

Shape.--Outside petals, broad lanceolate -- almost round; intermediate -- broad lanceolate with rounded tip; inside -- lanceolate with rounded tip.

Color: Newly opened flower from a plant grown outdoors (July 1985), Dallas, Tex.

Outside petal.--Outside surface -- near and between Red-Purple 60 A and Red 53 A, progressing to near Greyed-Purple 185 A with near white area at base. Inside surface -- near Greyed-Purple 186 D progressing to near Greyed-Purple 186 C and near Greyed-Purple 186 B, with petal edges progressing to near Greyed Purple 186 A and finishing near Red-Purple 60 A and Greyed-Purple 185 A and near Red 45 A and near Red 53 B with an area of near white at base.

Intermediate petal.--Outside surface -- similar to outside petal. Inside surface -- similar to outside petal.

Inner petal.--Outside surface -- same as intermediate petal; inside surface -- same as intermediate petal. Mature flowers may finish red. General color effect; newly opened flowers -- mauve with red edges and reddish mauve reverse. Three days open -- color similar to newly opened flowers but more brilliant. Behavior -- opens well in all weather. Color becomes deeper as flowers age. Flower longevity (July 1985) -- plant in a pot 6-8 days or longer. Cut flowers at living room temperature 4-5 days or longer.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.--Average amount.

Filaments.--Varying length, yellow.

Anthers.--Not well formed; yellow.

Pollen.--Small amount.

Pistils.--Average number.

Styles.--Uneven; medium to short length; bunched; color -- pale greenish at base, yellowish pink at upper part.

Ovaries.--All enclosed in calyx.

Hips.--None.

Sepals.--Permanent; spear shaped; recurved against peduncle.

Seed.--None.

Foliage:

Leaves.--Compound of five (sometimes three or seven) leaflets; fairly small; leathery; semi-glossy to matt.

Leaflets.--Shape: broad, nearly oval, apex acute; base rounded or rounded acute. Margin serrate. Color: medium to dark green; new growth -- normal (medium) green, sometimes bronze outside. Rachis: medium strength; upper side may have a few tiny short prickles or hairs, grooved; underside sparsely thorny with few or no tiny prickles. Stipules: medium long; narrow to medium width; medium length; narrow points which turn out usually at about 45 degrees.

Growth:

Habit.--Dwarf; bushy; upright; much branched.

Growth.--Free vigorous; internodes short.

Canes.--Medium; slender; sturdy.

Main stems.--Color: medium green.

Thorns.--Few; slender hooked slightly downward; color; tan. Prickles -- none. Hairs -- none.

Branches.--Color: medium green. Thorns: few; medium length; slender; nearly straight, inclined downward. Medium oval base. Prickles: none. Hairs: none.

The miniature rose plant and its flowers as herein described may vary in slight detail due to climatic, soil and cultural conditions under which the variety may be grown; the present description being of the variety as grown at Dallas, Tex. 

The following is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant of hardy, dwarf, bushy, upright, much branched habit, substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by buds and flowers of reddish mauve with red edge color, being of a shade generally near Greyed-Purple 186 D progressing to near Red 53 B, the bud and flower resembling the variety Over The Rainbow (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,472) in form and size but having more petals; and further characterized by a plant of vigorous and compact growth habit, easy to propagate from cuttings, with an abundance of flowers borne usually one to the stem. 